ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL OF ZIZIPHUS AND EUPHORBIA HONEYS HARVESTED IN SEMI-ARID REGION OF ALGERIA AND THEIR POSSIBLE USE IN SOFT MEDICINE

Abstract

Two different botanical origin honey types (Ziziphus lotus and Euphorbia bupleuroides) from semi-arid regions in Algeria consisting of twelve samples were tested for their antimicrobial efficiency. Global assessment of antimicrobial activity was made by wells method on integer samples and by turbidity test to locate fraction responsible of this activity. Honeys have been tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. Fungal strain was resistant to all honeys at all concentrations, whereas E. coli and S. aureus were sensitive presenting minimum inhibition concentrations (MIC) between 10 and 50%. Euphorbia honeys appeared to be more active. The fractionation shows that volatile fraction can have great antimicrobial effect, followed by the acidic one. Correlations reveal good relation between inhibitory effect, free acidity and polyphenols. These facts show large possibilities for honey use in soft medicine against some bacterial infections.